More About Humidors & Maintaining Humidity Levels
With first use of crystals it is
necessary to first calculate the amount of crystals to use.
(Rather
in a dish, pillow mesh bags etc. has no effect on calculations)
To find the cubic inch size of your humidor is easy.
Measure
(in inches) the storage area (inside area) of your humidor.
Using the formula: Width x Length x Height (don't forget to count
the area in the cover) = ??/540.
Calculated cubic area, divided by 540 = minimum ounces of dry
crystals granules that is needed.
First soak the dry crystal granules
in water for 1 minute.
The crystals will not fully hydrate in
this short time.
Place crystals in humidor and allow 48 hours for the humidity levels
to level out.
A humidity level for most cigars is around 65%.
To raise the humidity level means the
crystals need more moisture added to them.
Using distilled
water lightly mist the crystals (avoiding misting the cigars).
check after 24-48 hours, and repeat until 65% humidity level is
reached.
Only soaking the crystals at the
start for only a short time prevents them from reaching their
maximum absorption amount, they will release moisture, increasing
humidity within the humidor. When opening the humidor case in
an area that has a higher humidity level then 65% (such as on a rain
day), once the humidor is closed the crystals are not completely
hydrated to their maximum. They immediately start absorbing
this excess moisture and restoring the humidor back to the proper
humidity level.
Anytime the humidor humidity level falls below the 65% level repeat
the misting with distilled water to raise the humidity level back
up.
After awhile the humidor case with cigars will settle at the 65%
level. Once everything is level, your repeated misting will
rarely be necessary.
While 65% is our recommend humidity
level for cigars, you can set your own preferred level by adding
distilled water until the higher humidity level is reached.
To lower the humidity (drier) just sprinkle pinches of dry crystal
granules among the wet granules. The dry crystals will absorb
some of the humidity and slightly lower the humidity. Remember
to allow several days for the case and cigars to adjust to the
change.